Fans soaking up NHRA experience

Sunday

Jun 22, 2014 at 3:15 AM

By TERRILL COVEYPortsmouth Herald

EPPING — The love affair between the National Hot Rod Association and fans in New England continues to grow this weekend as all four professional divisions have been blistering the track at New England Dragway at record setting speeds.

As the second day of qualifying in the second annual NHRA New England Nationals moved along, fans were meeting and having one-on-one conversations with their favorite drivers, and gathering autographs as quickly as the cars and motorcycles were getting down the track.

OK, not quite as quickly.

“The fans here have been amazing,” said Pro Stock Motorcycle driver Hector Arana Sr. “I really feel comfortable here. Everyone is relaxed and really welcoming. They are also really appreciative of us being here. People keep thanking us for being here.”

That sentiment was echoed by many of the drivers, who said the fans in New England were among the friendliest and most knowledgeable fans they have come across in their travels around the country.

“We’ve gotten such a warm welcome,” said Erica Enders-Stevens. “A lot of fans have said they missed us last year. One fan even brought me a pin from last year’s inaugural event since I couldn’t be here. That is the type of generosity we’ve seen.”

Enders-Stevens couldn’t make the trip last year due to a lack of sponsorship, but with a new deal she has dominated the Pro Stock division so far this year.

One young fan, Emily Pavano of Connecticut, was moved to tears when she met her hero Enders-Stevens.

“Erica has the Disney movie (Right on Track) about her and her sister, and that’s what got me into drag racing,” Pavano said. “She inspires me so much.”

Pavano’s friend Maddie Schwartz came to the track not much of a fan, but even she grinned ear to ear while talking with Enders-Stevens and Australian driver Shane Tucker.

Converting fans like Schwartz is one of the benefits the NHRA and its drivers will reap from bringing the sport to a New England audience, and if the early returns are any indication, the partnership will last well into the future.

Funny car driver Alexis Dejoria spent much of her childhood in Connecticut, so the Epping race is a homecoming of sorts for her. She said the support of the local fans has been a big motivator for the drivers.

“The fans are really supportive,” she said. “There has been a really great turnout and everybody has been great. You want to win anyway, but you want to put on a good show for them.”

Funny car driver Robert Hight, who shattered the track elapsed time record in Friday night’s qualifying, said the fans have embraced the drivers and the sport in a way that is very humbling to the professional drivers.

“The fans here had been exposed to NASCAR, but they haven’t been exposed to the NHRA yet,” he said. “When they see how fan friendly and accessible the drivers are I think they get hooked. It’s like having a back stage pass at a concert. They can come down, meet us, see my guys work on the car right up close between rounds. It’s a different atmosphere.”

A pair of fans from Canada stated it a bit more bluntly.

“NASCAR drivers practically have armed guards around them,” said Kris Parker, who made the journey down from Canada for the event. “These guys, you can talk to them, take pictures with them. They spend time with everyone.”

Funny car Driver John Force, who used to race at Epping 20 or so years ago, said he knew what to e xpect when the NHRA returned to the New England Dragway.

“We packed fans in here back 20 years ago,” he said. “I go way back with the fans up here, I love coming up here because of the people. The people are great. I’ve got people bringing me pictures from this track back when my daughter Ashley was just 3 years old.”

One young fan also presented Force with a pint of homemade maple syrup, which he brought to a meet and greet session. Force’s response — “Hey thanks. I love maple syrup, too. Make sure you come over and get a picture with me over in the pits.”